All notaries have legal authority to perform civil marriages, but only between persons at least one of whom does not belong to the State church.
Annulment of Marriage.—Nullity is of two kinds—absolute and relative. In the case of the latter the marriage is considered as valid until declared otherwise, generally on the application of one of the parties. A marriage is absolutely null if at its celebration there was no declaration of the clergyman or of the civil official that the couple were man and wife, or if proof exists of bigamy or of relationship within the prohibited degrees.
Divorce and Separation.—An absolute divorce may be obtained for sufficient cause either by royal decree or by judicial determination. The most usual form is by royal decree, which is granted in the following cases:
1. When one at least of the causes prescribed by law is proven.
2. After a separation from bed and board has lasted three years. In such a case the royal decree is granted either on the petition of both parties, or, if circumstances justify, on the petition of one of the parties.
3. It may be granted by royal decree without any preceding separation. This form of divorce is granted either when legal cause for divorce exists or when the ground is otherwise considered sufficient.
A judicial decree of absolute divorce is obtainable for the following causes:
1. Adultery.
2. Bigamy.
3. Wilful desertion for at least three years.